As a consumer, there are a ton of things you consider when making a purchase. One factor that comes into play more often than you might realize is social proof.
Simply put, social proof is our tendency to do things that we see others doing. In business, the term describes the process of convincing prospects to engage with a brand by using social trust signals, such as reviews.
If your goal is to grow your email list, generate more sales, or spread brand awareness, social proof can help you take your strategy to the next level.
You’ve likely heard about various forms of social proof in your career, but do you know why these strategies are effective? If not, you’re in luck. We are going to look at 4 social proof hacks and explain how you can use these strategies to grow your company.
Let’s get started!
Ask for Reviews
Reviews are the most common and most effective way to build social proof. When a customer comes to your website for the first time, they want to see what kind of experiences others had with your products or services. One survey revealed that 88% of customers say that product reviews influence their buying decision, so it’s easy to see why this strategy is so effective.
Let’s say you are in the market for a brand new toaster. You find two companies that offer similar products at an identical price. You’re not familiar with either one of these companies. However, you discover that one business has 400 reviews on their toaster, and the other has 3. Where would you buy your toaster?
Odds are, you would go with the company with 400 reviews, right? The reviews act as social proof and help build trust for first-time buyers. The thought process is, “If everyone else is enjoying their product enough to leave reviews, I will too.”
If you need another reason, consider this: online reviews can boost conversions on a sales page by 270%. Asking for reviews through email, on your website, or on social media, can help you dramatically improve survey engagement. As a result, new consumers will see these reviews, and you can start building trust as soon as they land on your website.
Showcase Noteworthy Numbers
Next, let’s talk about the value of showcasing noteworthy numbers on your site. Odds are, there are a few accolades under your belt that will help you earn the trust of new visitors.
Perhaps you were featured in a news story by a prominent publication. Maybe you tens of thousands of people on your email list. These numbers will vary in their cause and efficiency, depending on your industry.
For example, an email marketing firm may create an optin form that asks users to sign up. When creating the promotion, marketers will include favorable statistics in an attempt to build social proof. Would you subscribe to a mailing list if it said, “join 200,000 and get product updates from your inbox?” If you’re interested in the brand, the answer is likely yes.
Consumers look for impressive numbers when they browse your site. These numbers show users that other people have invested their time in this company, which builds confidence. This factor may be the thing they need to subscribe and, eventually, become a paying customer.
Include Trust Seals
Another excellent way to build customer confidence is with trust seals. You’ve likely spotted these little symbols on contact forms, website footers, and sales pages. The seal is usually an endorsement from another large company.
For instance, the Mcafee security seal lets consumers know that they can feel good about engaging with your forms, handing over payment information, or offering their email.
Seeing approval from a well-known company is a great way to make a first impression with your visitors. In fact, it can make or break a purchasing decision when working with a skeptical customer. We suggest including several trust seals across your website, so users know that they are dealing with an honest, reputable company from the moment they land on your homepage.
Work with Internet Celebrities
The last social proof tip we are going to discuss today is known as influencer marketing. Working with well-known internet celebrities is a great way to build trust with potential customers before they ever visit your website.
Social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube are excellent choices for promoting your product and services with influencers. For context, Instagram gets a staggering 1 billion visitors every month. In other words, there are a lot of eyes on the content that pops up across the site.
If a well-known influencer is showing off your latest product, consumers are likely to visit your website. The trust, in this case, comes from the influencer promoting the product. People trust their favorite internet personalities, so having an influencer show off your goods or services is a great way to build consumer confidence.
YouTube, on the other hand, is used by 73% of adults in the United States. If you have a product that needs a demonstration, internet influencers can help you see a tremendous boost in sales and engagement.
The key is finding influencers that operate either within your niche or share a similar target audience. So, if your business sells power tools, you wouldn’t want to promote your product with a beauty influencer. However, an internet personality that shows viewers how to make home repairs is the perfect pick for showcasing your product.
Back to You
As you can see, there are plenty of exciting ways to build social proof. Tactics mentioned here will vary based on your industry, audience size, and budget.
Building consumer confidence is vital for your success, regardless of your industry. Experiment with some of the tips we went over here, and before long, you’ll have a dedicated fanbase that believes in your business and is willing to help you create more social proof and build trust for brand new customers.